Candidates exceeding stipulated spending limits risk losing position, civil rights – Election Commission

The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake emphasized that any presidential candidate found by the courts to have exceeded the legally permitted spending limit per voter will face severe consequences, including the loss of their position and the revocation of their civil rights for three years. 

Speaking at an event held in Kandy, Mr. Ratnayake addressed questions regarding the enforcement of election expenditure regulations, noting that these stipulations have been outlined in Gazette No. 03 of 2023. 

Furthermore, he reminded that since 1947, candidates have been required to submit asset and liability statements within 31 days of the election’s conclusion, and that failure to do so, or submitting false information, is a punishable offense. 

The Elections Commissioner General also noted that the historical precedents exist where individuals have lost their positions and civil rights over such violations.

Under a newly enacted law, candidates are also required to submit detailed reports on their income and expenditures to the Election Commission within 21 days following the election, Mr Ratnayake added, mentioning that these reports will be made publicly available through newspaper advertisements and websites.

Mr. Ratnayake further pointed out that if discrepancies or inaccuracies are found in the expense reports, the public is legally empowered to lodge complaints with the police and initiate court proceedings against the offenders.